It's not the preferred option, but it's what the retailer "has to do" to contend with "ridiculous" laws, company President and CEO Stan Sheetz told the newspaper.

Ohio Springs Inc., a Sheetz Inc. subsidiary, recently filed again for a license transfer after the state Supreme Court shot down its initial license over the on-premises sales issue. Ohio Springs seeks to transfer an eating place license from a Broad Avenue business to the Sheetz location at 1900 Pleasant Valley Blvd., according to the report.

Stan Sheetz said it was the company's preference to not allow on-premises consumption. "That's how we [initially] applied," he explained. "There are lots and lots of places that do not sell for on-premises consumption. It really didn't seem to be an issue. It's an issue now, and we're going to have to deal with it."

Sheetz is permitted to sell beer at its locations outside of Pennsylvania, he said.

The PLCB approved the license transfer in September 2004, setting off a five-year state court battle. Sheetz starting selling six- and 12-packs of beer and malt-based coolers on Feb. 1, 2007, but the sales were halted three weeks later by a Commonwealth Court ruling. Ohio Springs and the PLCB appealed, which allowed sales from Feb. 28, 2007, to June 16 this year, a day after the Supreme Court ruling, the report stated.

The Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania, which stopped Sheetz's first license attempt, is opposing the new effort. The association filed a petition to intervene with the PLCB, Executive Secretary Mary Lou Hogan said.

"You can see it's the store -- Sheetz -- who would like to sell the beer, not the cafe or the restaurant," and that's not permitted, Hogan told the newspaper.

A hearing date has yet to be scheduled before the PLCB on the convenience store chain's request. Stan Sheetz said he hopes that it may occur in November or December.